WRAL Sports Fan

North Carolina State University

O'Brien expects Wilson to keep playing both football and baseball

By Dane Huffman

Nov 5, 2008

Russell Wilson arrived at N.C. State as a two-sport athlete, contributing both as a true freshman in baseball last spring and then starting as a redshirt freshman in football this fall.

But his success in football has raised a question among Wolfpack fans about his future. State has top quarterback prospect Mike Glennon redshirting this season, and would Wilson, who is 5 feet 11 and thus not a likely NFL prospect, turn to baseball eventually?

N.C. State football coach Tom O’Brien continued to rave about Wilson Wednesday, and said he expects Wilson to continue to play both sports.

“I don’t see that changing,” O’Brien said, adding that the two would talk about it at the end of the season. “I would expect that [playing both sports], yes. I think that’s what he wants to do. He certainly can help our baseball team.”

Wilson has completed 82 of 143 throws this year for 900 yards. He has eight touchdown passes and just one interception.

“He’s a very smart individual and has made the most of his opportunity as a quarterback,” O’Brien said. “Our chances to win games at the end have been because he’s been efficient with the football and hasn’t turned it over.”

Wilson hit .296 for the baseball team, playing in 32 games and starting 16 as an infielder. Wilson had two homers, eight RBI and six steals for a strong Pack team that finished 42-22 overall.

He did that while practicing with the Wolfpack football team during spring football, sometimes doing both sports in one day.

“I think baseball is very important to him,” O’Brien said. “We talked about it when he was recruited here. The only stipulation we’ve done is in the spring, he makes all those spring practices. If you’re going to be a starting quarterback, you need all 15 opportunities in the spring.”